DAVE WATSON was left singing the praises of 20-year-old defender Ian Sharps after he helped Tranmere keep a clean sheet in their victory at Saltergate on Saturday.

DAVE WATSON was left singing the praises of 20-year-old defender Ian Sharps after he helped Tranmere keep a clean sheet in their victory at Saltergate on Saturday.

Saturday was only Sharps' third league start for the club but the youngster from Warrington showed no nerves and formed a strong partnership with Dave Challinor.

For Watson, himself a defensive stalwart during his long career, the centre back's performance was great to watch.

He said: "Ian is very level-headed and there are no frills about him.

"I thought that, having the experience of Dave Challinor to help him out, he would do well and he did.

"He played like a veteran, he was a rock for us at the back and as he gets more games under his belt he will become even more confident at giving instructions and sorting out the defence."

Sharps was an integral figure as Rovers kept their first clean sheet of the season away from Prenton Park.

Watson added: "We deserved the win but the clean sheet was a real bonus. I always feel we will score goals so if we keep clean sheets we have a great chance of winning games.

"We haven't had too many this season but we deserved it against Chesterfield and Ian (Sharps) was a giant in the side for us."

Tranmere had to earn their clean sheet the hard way during a troubling opening half hour.

"We didn't lack confidence in the first half hour but it was one of those games where there wasn't much time for us to get on the ball and play," added Watson.

"As the game went on there was more space appearing and we started to get more of the ball.

"That is all part of winning the battle. In the opening stages the ball was coming back at us quickly and nobody was taking control of the game. We stuck with them during that spell, got the goal and then started to play.

"I was pleased with the way they were battling for each other and they maintained that through the game, which was pleasing."

But the manager was quick to point out there is a lot more to come from his side.

He added: "We can play a lot better than that. It was frustrating in the second half when we went 2-0 up because we should have been controlling the game and forcing them into chasing hard to get the ball off us. Maybe there were one or two scared of giving the ball away and conceding something at the back."